Ordering repeat prescriptions

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What is changing?

The way repeat prescriptions are ordered is changing. From 30 June 2019 you will have to order your repeat prescriptions directly through your GP practice, and not your high street or internet pharmacy or appliance contractor.

What is not changing?

If you already order repeat prescriptions directly through your GP practice this change will not affect you. When you order your repeat prescription directly through your GP practice, your pharmacy will continue to collect or receive your prescription as before. Pharmacies may also continue to deliver your prescription if they offer this service.

How do I order my prescription from my GP practice?

You can order repeat prescriptions through your GP practice online (see instructions below).

Alternatively, you can drop off or post the tick slip, which is the right-hand side of your prescription which lists your current repeat medication. Tick only the medication you require and hand this in or post it to your GP practice. If you don’t have your slip please put your request in writing listing the medications you require along with your name, date of birth and a contact number.

Registering to use GP online services

It is not hard to start using online services. Your surgery will need to check who you are to make sure you only see your record and not someone else’s. Just like your bank or the post office when you pick up a parcel, your surgery wants to protect your records from people who are not allowed to see them. The steps below explain how this works. The simplest and quickest way to order your prescription through your GP surgery is to use the NHS GP online service.

Tell your GP surgery you would like to start using online services.

Your surgery will give you a short form to fill in and sign to confirm you agree with the information on the form.

Your surgery will then check you are who you say you are. They will do this in one of three ways:- Photo ID and proof of address, for example, a passport or driving licence and a bank statement or council tax statement.- If you do not have any ID and are well known to your surgery, a member of staff may be able to confirm your identity.- If you do not have any ID and are not well known to your surgery, they may ask you questions about the information in your GP to confirm the record is really yours.

Your surgery will then give you a letter with your unique username and password. It will also tell you about the website where you can login and start using online services.

Accessing online services once you're registered

Once you've gone through the steps above to register for GP online services through your surgery, there are a number of apps you can use to make the process of booking appointments and ordering prescriptions even easier. Please check with your GP practice which apps they support.

Golden rules of ordering

Only order what you need – If you don’t need the medicine please don’t order it! If you need the medicine in the future you can still request it and it will not disappear from your repeat list.

Check your bag of medication before you leave the pharmacy - Even if you never open them, once medicines have left the Pharmacy, they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else.

When to order your repeat medicine

Order your repeat prescription when you have 10 days of medicine left. This will give your GP Practice and Pharmacy time to process and prepare your prescription and ensure that you do not run out.

Why is this change happening?

Being in charge of ordering your own repeat prescriptions ensures you only get the medicine you need at the time you need it. This can help prevent the build-up of unused or old medicines at home which improves safety and saves medicines waste and valuable NHS resources.

How do I get more help understanding this change?

If you feel you need support ordering your repeat prescription or you are a carer for someone who might need help, please speak to your GP practice.

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